MENTAL HEALTH
Lessons Learned at a Suicide Hotline
12 universal laws for suicide prevention
You’re about to discover 12 Universal Laws for Suicide Prevention.
My first job in mental health was at a Suicide Hotline. It was my Senior year at the University of Central Florida. The Suicide Hotline was called “We Care.”
I also worked in the mall at the store called “Athletic Attic.”
My more cynical friends said I worked at “Who Cares” and “Apathetic Attic.”
My first shift was Wednesday night from 10 pm to 3 am.
Here are a few things I learned:
12 Universal Laws for Suicide Prevention
The Law of Permanent
Suicide is always a permanent solution to a temporary problem.
Always. Even if it doesn’t look or feel temporary, it is. Also, you don’t get to come back. You don’t get to see how many people attend your funeral. It’s permanent.
The Law of Hope
There is always hope if you are alive. You just have to look for it.
My buddy and author Andy Andrews says:
The Law of Seriousness
Always, always take any threat, mention, or even veiled comment about suicide very seriously. Even if you really think it’s just drama or manipulation. Why? Because if you are wrong, the margin for error is zero.
The Law of Warning Signs
Here’s just a partial list of warning signs that someone is contemplating suicide:
- threats or talk of suicide or wishing to be dead
- changes in mood, energy, enthusiasm
- the appearance of depression, moodiness, withdrawal
- increasing isolation
- cutting or otherwise injuring themselves
- abusing drugs/alcohol
- giving away possessions
- saying goodbye to friends and family
- recent loss or disappointment (job loss, relationship breakup, death, etc.)
- family history of suicide
- recent suicides of friends, family, or role models/heroes/idols
- previous suicide attempts
The Law of Romeo & Juliet
The popular movie, “Romeo & Juliet”, was just that: a damn movie! The stars, Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes are still alive, working on their next movie, for more money than most of us will make in our entire lifetime. Suicide is not cool and it is not romantic.
The Law of Choice
If you are thinking that killing yourself is your only choice, THINK AGAIN! There is always a better choice and a better way if you are committed to looking for it and finding it.
The Law of Aftermath
The aftermath of suicide is not pretty. As someone who has been helping clean up the emotional mess left behind for many years now, I can tell you this:
the emotional pain and damage is devastatingly real, deep, and lasts forever.
The Law of Selfish
Because of the law of aftermath, the act of suicide is ultimately an incredibly selfish act. The hurt and pain caused are enormous.
The Law of Pleasure & Pain
Because most of us tend to move toward pleasure and away from pain, we need to connect people to the real pain of suicide and increase their connection to the pleasure in living, in whatever ways possible.
The Law of Community
Never try to handle a suicidal person by yourself. Get help, get others involved, don’t take it all on yourself.
The Law of the Lie
Suicide doesn’t take away the pain…. it multiplies it.
It multiplies it 1000 times and gives it to everyone that loves you, likes you and cares about you…
And there are people who love you, like you and care about you.
The Law of “Second Wind”
In his song about considering suicide himself as a teenager, Billy Joel sings “don’t forget your second wind.” He stuck around long enough to get his second wind and seems to have done alright for himself.
Remember to wait for your “second wind”, or third, fourth, or tenth wind, whatever it takes.
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